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Prospect Suarez among Minors roster shifts

3/10/14: Eugenio Suarez rips a single through the left side in the seventh and tallies his second hit of the game with a single in the ninth

By Jason Beck
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MLB.com |

DETROIT -- Shortstop prospect Eugenio Suarez will be a part of a talented group of position players at Double-A Erie, not at Triple-A Toledo as previously planned. The move was one of several shifts revealed in recent days as Tigers Minor League rosters were finalized.

Suarez had been optioned to Triple-A Toledo in the final week of Spring Training, but that move came before the Tigers traded for shortstop Alex Gonzalez. That addition landed Danny Worth and Hernan Perez in Toledo, which in turn pushed Perez to Erie.

The flip side is that Suarez is teamed up with up-and-coming prospect Devon Travis in what has the potential for a talented double-play combination. Outfielder Steven Moya, who opened some eyes with an impressive Spring Training with the big club, also will open with the SeaWolves, as will first baseman Aaron Westlake and third baseman Francisco Martinez.

The Mud Hens' outfield is centered by prospect Daniel Fields, flanked by newly-acquired J.D. Martinez in left, Ezequiel Carrera in right, and Ben Guez in reserve. Trevor Crowe, who spent part of Spring Training competed for a Major League spot, opens on the Triple-A disabled list with an oblique injury.

The Mud Hens' rotation features right-hander Drew VerHagen and lefty Robbie Ray, two prospects who were promoted aggressively after spending less than a full season at Double-A. Lefties Duane Below and Kyle Lobstein are also in the rotation, with veteran right-hander Derek Hankins rounding out the group.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. Read Beck's Blog and follow him on Twitter @beckjason. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.